ICT

- AQA

Who is this course for?

The ICT A Level is particularly useful for anyone who is interested in a technical, scientific or business career.

It addresses issues associated with the management of ICT and its use within organisations. Each organisation will have the same ICT-related issues to consider on a scale appropriate to their own needs; for instance, the introduction and testing of ICT systems, the training and support needed for users of ICT systems, and the outside factors that affect the way the organisation runs its ICT.

Formal Entry Requirements

All students studying for A Level would be expected to have five GCSEs A*-C in academic subjects including GCSE English Language. Students wishing to study ICT would also be expected to have GCSE Maths and GCSE ICT at C or above, or Level 2 BTEC ICT at Distinction or OCR National at Pass or above.

What does the course involve?

ICT can be studied either for one year as an AS Level or across two years as a full A Level.

AS Level:
Students make practical use of a range of applications software, hardware and communication technologies to address different types of problem. The range of software used should cover the processing of text, images, numbers and sound. Students will develop the skills in analysing, designing, implementing, testing and evaluating systems.

A2 Level:
This is designed to address issues associated with the management of ICT and its use within organisations. A range of organisations should be studied, including charities, clubs and societies, small, medium and large businesses, and national and multi-national public and private organisations.

The number of people involved could range from one or two to many thousands. This provides students with the opportunity to complete a substantial project involving the production of an ICT-related system over an extended period of time. In so doing, students will enhance their transferable practical skills.

How will I be assessed?

Both AS and A2 ICT are assessed through a series of written examinations. The course also includes a case study and a project. Any of the units can be retaken if you don’t do as well as you had hoped. The examinations are a mixture of short answers, structured questions and essays.

Where can I go next?

Students who have studied ICT often follow other subjects at degree level. The study of ICT is useful for a wide range of careers for every profession.